News & Events from the Lafayette Chamber
|
|
|
Monday, December 13, 2021
|
Jay Lifson, Executive Director
251 Lafayette Circle, Ste 150, Lafayette, CA
Office Hours by Appointment only:
Monday-Thursday 9am-4pm, Friday 9am-1pm
Please call for an appointment; masks required inside.
Chamber Staff Holiday Break: Dec. 22, noon until Jan. 3, 9am.
Please look for our year-end email blast on Friday, December 17. This will be our last email blast of the year!
|
|
Announcing the 2022 Business Person of the Year!
Congratulations John McCormick, co-owner of Lamorinda Music with wife Colleen McCormick, and 2020/2021 Lafayette Chamber Board President on being named Lafayette's 2022 Business Person of the Year! John's contributions to our community and the Chamber this past year have easily warranted this award. Congratulations John and THANK YOU for your ongoing commitment to Lafayette!
John has quite easily and on multiple occasions met the following criteria for the Lafayette Business Person of the Year:
- Current Lafayette Chamber of Commerce Member;
- Is involved with a successful business;
- Has been involved with either the Chamber or other community based organizations;
- Their work should support our mission: To promote and maintain a healthy business climate and to preserve and enhance the quality of life in Lafayette;
- Someone who has given of their time, money or energy to help make Lafayette a healthy community where people will want to live, work and shop;
- Someone who models excellence in everything they do;
- Someone who brings this community together and/or makes us proud to be a member of the community.
John will join former BPOY award recipients Ed Stokes, Paul Barendregt, Dan Kelly, Barb Sorken, Dave Hill, Don Jenkins, Cynthia Murdough, Paul Bettelheim, Bob Ewen, Sereta Churchill, Ann Denny, Caesar Perales, Dennis Garrison, Scott Hampton & Wendy Tamis, Steve Cortese, Mike Heller, Mo Levich, Larry Blodgett, Tom Courtright, Larry Duson, Jay Lifson, Colleen McCormick, Brian Aiello, Leila Douglah, Andy and Wendy Scheck, Brenda Oum, Dana Green, Terry Ring and Jennifer Perlmutter.
|
|
Welcome New Lafayette Chamber Members!
The following businesses just joined the Lafayette Chamber! We encourage you to visit their website to learn more.
Miles Westbrook & Deal LLP
3390 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Suite 220, Lafayette, CA
Garret Deal, 925-938-4500
Category: Attorneys / Legal Services
801 Golf Club Road, Pleasant Hill, CA
Michael Rood, 925-798-7135
Golf Course - Private Country Club
Category: Country Clubs
|
|
Thank You Renewing Members!
The following members recently renewed their membership December 6-13, 2021. Curious about your membership status? Contact us.
|
|
It's a Wonderful Life in Lafayette Holiday Celebration
|
|
“It’s a Wonderful Life in Lafayette” holiday event is designed as a time to share holiday cheer as we celebrate this wonderful community we live in. Held on Sunday, Dec. 5 in Lafayette's Plaza Park, this free, fun, family-friendly celebration included Santa sightings, free train rides on the Lafayette Express, official holiday tree lighting ceremony, one-of-a-kind photo ops, live musical entertainment, kid’s crafts, holiday treats and more!
The “It’s a Wonderful Life in Lafayette” event was presented by the Lafayette Chamber, and sponsored by local Lafayette Realtor Dana Green Team and Branagh Development, who together are also hosting the environmentally-friendly downtown Lafayette twinkle lights for the 2021 Holiday Season.
Santa arrived on Lafayette’s first fire truck, Old Betsy, thanks to the Lafayette Historical Society and helpers Larry Blodgett, Mike Raffo (driver), Hendrik Kirleis, and John Kennett. Mary McCosker (LHS Board Pres.) made the History Room available for Santa to prepare for the event. A special thank you to our decorators, Lauren Campopiano from the Dana Green Team and Amy Coombe from Branagh Development. Old Betsy looked amazing!
Did you see Mrs. Claus greeting guests near the Lafayette Express? Thank you Grace Dixon and Steve Hall! And thank you to our parade unicyclist Lafayette Chamber Ambassador, Kyle Sumner!
Our Chamber Beverage Tents were run by Chamber Board and Ambassador volunteers Reid Edwards, Kyle Sumner, Stephanie McNabb, Jeremy Steel, Katie Santos, Tom Schnurr, Megan Schnurr, Brian Aiello, and Christine Raymond. We also thank John McCormick for his volunteer efforts.
Thank you to Troops 204 and 402 for all the assistance with setup, running the activities and take down! And thank you NCL volunteers Grace and Kathryn Bell.
A special thank you to Honey Bear Trees for the donation of the Tree. We thank Terry Ring and Buddy Brodwin for assisting with the hanging the lights. Thank you to the Lafayette Police Department for leading the parade and assisting with the street closures.
📷 Dana Green and Matt Branagh (with Matt's daughter)
|
|
Lafayette Chamber Holiday Mixer honoring the history of the Lafayette Improvement Association (LIA) and the Town Hall Theatre
On Tuesday night, December 7, the Lafayette Chamber was honored to host our Holiday Mixer at Town Hall Theatre. This was not only our holiday mixer but a very special celebration honoring the history of the Lafayette Improvement Association (LIA) and the Town Hall Theatre. The key was literally passed from LIA to Town Hall Theatre! Watch and see at https://youtu.be/908YG9D1-jQ!
We thank Master of Ceremonies, John McCormick, Lafayette Chamber Board President and co-owner of Lamorinda Music for the wonderful introductions. We had presentations by Former President of the Board of the Town Hall Theatre Company Dennis Erokan, City of Lafayette Mayor Susan Candell, Lafayette Historical Society's Mary McCosker, Lafayette Improvement Association's Board President Clyde Long and Town Hall Theatre Board President Gretchen Lee Salter.
The Ribbon Cutting was held on the stage orchestrated by Town Hall Theatre Managing Director Dennis Markam and Town Hall Theatre Board President Gretchen Lee Salter.
|
|
Supervisor Candace Andersen's December 10 Weekly Update
➡ Free Covid-19 Vaccine Clinic in San Ramon on December 16th
➡ Safer Holiday Celebrations
➡ Contra Costa Health Services Urges Vaccinations and Boosters Amid Discovery of Omicron Variant
➡ Limited Number of COVID Test Kits Available in our Office
➡ FDA Expands Booster Authorization to Teens 16 Years and Up
➡ Status of Contra Costa Health Services’ Enforcement of Vaccine-Verification Order
➡ Dashboard Shows Progress Toward Lifting Indoor Masking Order in Contra Costa County
➡ COVID Status of Contra Costa County
➡ The History and Story of the Caldecott Tunnel A Free Virtual Program
➡ Contra Costa County Completes Redistricting Process and Adopts New Supervisorial Districts
|
|
City of Lafayette, CA: The Weekly Roundup, December 10, 2021
➡ Street Smarts Safety Pledge
➡ Wet Weather Reminder
➡ BART Weekend Track Maintenance Work on December 18-19
➡ New Student Registration for Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten opens January 3
➡ Contra Costa Health Services’ Continued Enforcement of Vaccine-Verification Order
➡ Assistance League’s TeleCare Celebrates 50th Anniversary
➡ Take the Recycling Pledge This Month
➡ Community Events and Meetings
➡ Holiday Happenings
➡ Public Meetings
|
|
Contra Costa Micro-Enterprise Relief Fund available for small businesses impacted by COVID
The Contra Costa County Micro-Enterprise Relief Fund offers grants to micro-businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in Contra Costa County cities except for Walnut Creek, Concord, Pittsburg, and Antioch which receive Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, directly.
The Contra Costa County Micro-Enterprises Relief Fund is funded by the Contra Costa County CDBG program. The CDBG program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This fund is administered by the nonprofit organization Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center’s East Bay office.
FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS FUND, A “MICRO-ENTERPRISE” WILL BE DEFINED AS A FOR-PROFIT ENTITY WITH:
- A maximum of 5 employees (including owner)
- Less than $250,000 in annual business revenue
- Registered, in good standing with, and operating in Contra Costa County cities except for Walnut Creek, Concord, Pittsburg, and Antioch
ELIGIBILITY, BUSINESS MUST:
- Be an existing micro-enterprise with 5 employees of less (including owner)
- Have a business operating in Contra Costa County except for Walnut Creek, Concord, Pittsburg, and Antioch
- If resident lives outside of the county, business must be a brick and mortar in eligible cities
-
Have a business license or permit (They will accept a State seller’s permit for Lafayette businesses since the City does not issue a business license.)
- Have a DUNS number (or able to obtain one prior to grant receipt)
- Be able to show their business financials from 2020 (tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, POS reports, quarterly taxes)
- Have a household income that is low to moderate-income (varies based on household size) or the majority of employees are low income (must show proof of income)
- Be directly impacted by COVID-19
INELIGIBLE BUSINESSES:
- Operating one of the following types of businesses: adult entertainment, liquor, cannabis, franchise
- Gig-workers: Uber, Instacart, etc.
- Received over $25,000 in PPP or EIDL loan/grants, if so, grants must be used for different expenses.
EXAMPLE USE OF FUNDS (NOT AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST)
- Purchasing technology (i.e. laptops, printer, point of sale system)
- COVID-19 precaution supplies (PPE)
- Safety remodeling (plexiglass, spacing tape, construction labor)
- Façade improvements and signage
- Online platform fees and social media marketing to further online sales
- Commercial rents
- Employee salaries (must provide third party payroll vendor, 941 Form or W3 IRS Form)
- Funds cannot be used to pay debt or loans.
GRANT AMOUNT: $1,000.00- $10,000.00
To apply visit Contra Costa County Micro-Enterprise Relief Fund – Renaissance Center: Renaissance Center (rencenter.org)
|
|
Your Guide to Shopping Local!
|
|
Keep checking back because our guides will continue to grow as we add new gifts and meals from our members!
⇒ Lafayette Chamber’s Instagram page (especially the Story Highlights!)
⇒ Why shop local? When you shop local you help local business owners through this challenging economic time. Additionally, sales tax from your purchases will be funneled back into our local economy.
|
|
Lafayette Reservoir Photo Book Available for Your Gift Giving Needs!
The Lafayette Reservoir: A Visual Celebration coffee table book, by Steve Hobbs, is available at the Lafayette Chamber office, 251 Lafayette Circle, Ste 150 for a $35 donation. Please call for appointment, (925) 284-7404.
|
|
BNI Chapter Business By Referral Charity Event Benefitting Shelter, Inc.
They have formed a partnership with Shelter, Inc., a non-profit organization and Lafayette Chamber member that provides for the needs of the homeless in Contra Costa County. Shelter Inc. will have volunteers at this first community giving event on the 14th and they would like to invite the Lafayette community to participate by bringing a donation of Queen or Twin sheets and bedding and/or new men's, women's and children's undergarments. Community members can also make a donation directly to Shelter, Inc. by going to their website (shelterinc.org) and clicking on the green "Donate" button at the top of the home page and mention Business By Referral in the acknowledgement section. Questions? Contact Fred Steingraf, fred.steingraf@edwardjones.com.
|
|
Retire with Prosperity - Wealth Management Meet & Greet
Tuesday, December 21; MORNING SESSION: 10am to 11:30am; EVENING SESSION: 6pm to 7:30pm
Join Retire With Prosperity, an educational Open House event for Prosperity Financial Group clients and everyone in the community! Fiduciary Advisors will cover different topics each month, including tips on:
- ENSURING you DON’T outlive your retirement income.
- NAVIGATING recent changes in legislation that could potentially affect your nest egg.
- REDUCING exposure to factors like taxes on your income streams.
- OPTIMIZING your Social Security and Medicare strategy.
- ACCOUNTING for long-term health care costs.
- GIFTING strategically to future generations and to your favorite causes.
- And much, much more.
Advisory Services offered through Prosperity Financial Group, Inc., an independent registered investment advisor. Securities offered through Fortune Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. Prosperity Financial Group, Inc. and Fortune Financial Services, Inc. are separate entities.
|
|
Mobility Matters Part Time Driver: Part Time/Temporary Driver (Hours will vary, but will not usually exceed 20 per week); Works from our Lafayette office; Reports to Director of Transportation Pay: $19/hour through payroll, plus $0.56/mile reimbursement (When using your own vehicle). Learn more here.
Hope Solutions Rapid Rehousing Program Manager: Hope Solutions is seeking an energetic Rapid Rehousing Program Manager to sustain and grow successful rapid rehousing programs (RRH). The ideal candidate is flexible and responsive to support the needs of our clients while possessing the skill set to collaborate with interdisciplinary team members and community partners. Learn more and apply here.
Las Trampas: Do you believe in living with a purpose? Are you looking for ways to give back to the community and yet earn some income? If yes, check out our current job openings by visiting our Job Opportunities or contact the HR Director, Pinky Keswani at pkeswani@lastrampas.org.
|
|
From the Lafayette Library and Learning Center
|
|
LIBRARY PROGRAMS THRIVE THANKS TO DONORS LIKE YOU!
We know you value the exceptional and varied programs at the Lafayette Library, which is why we need your support. Your annual gift will enable us to welcome authors, artists, and change makers onto our stage and into your lives.
Please donate today so we can continue to offer the programs you love in the new year.
Your gift makes a difference!
|
|
Show Your Membership!
Would you like to include a Lafayette Chamber membership emblem on your website or other marketing materials?
The Lafayette Chamber would be happy to provide you with the appropriate logos. Simply email your request to holly@lafayettechamber.org.
|
|
Please note: to signup via text you will be asked for your birthdate. This information is not stored, it is only used for verify you are over 21 years of age.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|